Global history is not a phenomenon that begins only in the late 15th century. This volume describes the gradual process of the emergence of a comprehensive global history. Although one cannot yet speak of a worldwide exchange during the period from 1000 to 1250, especially since the American continent was still interacting completely independently, there were well-organized trade and exchange relationships that spanned countries and even continents. Important carriers of mediation between different countries and regions were not only economic and political interests, which manifested in trade contacts, diplomatic relations, and embassies or in wars, but also religions, particularly Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. An extensive network of transport routes on land and water was a prerequisite for this. While the intensification of diverse interaction and exchange processes since the turn of the millennium did not create a "single" world, it did bring about significant "global" changes in economy, society, politics, and culture, such that the phase after 1250 can be reasonably understood as a "premodern world system.".